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I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ORIN D. ,D. MARTIN, OF AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. i

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part 6f Letters Patent No. 263,189, dated August'22, 1882,

Application filed June 30,1882. (No model.)

will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same, referrence being had to the accompanying drawings, whichform a part of this specification.

This invention relates to automatic car-couplings and has for its objectto provide a simple, durable, inexpensive, and efficient couping.

To this end it consists in certain improvements in the construction andoperation of the same.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of a draw-head havingmyimprovements; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal sectionalview thereof 5Fig. 3, a cross-section on the line a, Fig. 2 5 and Fig. 4, a like viewon the line 3 y.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates the draw-head, havinga mouth, B, continued into a longitudinal chamber, 0, in which works aslide, D, having a shank, E, passing through a coiled spring, F, in abox, G, fixed in the rear end of chamber G. The box G may be integral,but is preferably removable, and has a head, H, extending over the rearend of the draw-head.

I designates the draw-bars, which extend entirely through openings J inthe draw-head at each side, and are secured therein by bolts 1, saidopenings being longitudinal and open at each end. This constructionimparts greater strength, and the rear projecting ends, K, of thedraw-bar may be secured to the beams of the car in any desired manner.

L is a recess or chamber formed in the top of the draw-head, andprovided with a hinged cover, M, the links being accommodated in thisbox or chamberwhen not in use.

N is a vertical chamber, formed above the mouth of the draw-head, inwhich is set an inverted conical or funnel-shaped tube or box, 0, andabove this is fitted a plate, P, having a central opening, Q, at theends of which are journaled transverse rollers R R.

S is the coupling-pin, which works in a perforation, T, in the bottom ofchamber N, and

is formed with an enlarged head, U, to which are secured straps V V,extending up over rollers R R and out at each side through openings W Win the ends of a cap-piece, X.

To the projecting endsbf straps V V are secured operating-rods Y Y,which pass through brackets or guides Z Z on the sides of the draw-headto the sides of the car.

A is a vertical operating-rod,secured to the head of the pin S, andextending up between rollers R B through a perforation, B, in cap X tothe top of the car. Thus the couplingpin may be operated to uncouplefrom either the top or sides of the cars without going between them andendangering life.

To force the coupling-pin downwardly, a conical coiled spring, 0, isarranged around straps V V and rod A, its lower and bearing on the headof the coupling-pin and its top against the under side of the plate P.-

The front edge or face of the slide D normally abuts against atransverse shoulder, D, at the top of the mouth of the draw-head, and atransverse ridge, E, is formed or arranged at the bottom of the mouth.The edge of the slide is provided with transverse grooves or corrugations F, in which the end of the link is adjusted so that it will reston ridge E and project upwardly, downwardly, or straight forward, asdesired, and to couple cars of difierent heights. For the latter purposea crooked link may be used.

When coupled the end of the link is held securely in the groove orcorrugation in which it is adjusted by the coupling-pin, as the slide Dby tension of its spring F always presses forward. The link is thusprevented from sliding up and down on the pin and all liability of itsbecoming uncoupled obviated.

At its top edge, G, the slide 1) is notched and beveled to facilitateengagement with the end of the coupling-pin.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood.5 By operating any of the rods Y Y and A the pin is raised and supportedby slide D. Then, when the link of the opposite car enters thedraw-head, the slide is forced back, and the pin falls by reason of itsspring to complete the coupling.

1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, witha draw-head hav iug longitudinal openings or perforations formed at eachside, of draw-bars extending entirely through the same from the frontand projecting at the rear, substantially as set forth. g

2. A carcoupling formed with a recess or chamber in its top, having ahinged cover, and adapted to receive the links when not in use,substantially as specified. 3. The combination, with the draw-headhaving a vertical chamberover the mouth and a perforation in the bottomof the chamber,

of the plate having the transverse rollers, the coupling-pin providedwith an enlarged head, the coiled spring, the straps, and theoperating-rods, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the draw-head having a vertical chamber overthe mouth,having a perforation in its bottom, of thefunnel-shaped box,the plate carrying the transverse rollers,

the coupling-pin, the coiled spring, the straps, operating-rods, andbrackets or guides, and the cap-piece having open ends, substantially asset forth.

5. The combination, with the draw-head having the transverse ridge,forwardly-moving slide having a transversely grooved or corrugated face,and the vertical chamber, of the coupling-pin, spring, straps,operating-rods, plate provided with transverse rollers, and cap-piecehaving open ends, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

ORIN D. D. MARTIN.

Witnesses:

JAMES P. VERDERY, THADDEUS OAKMAN.

